2022 Toyota Corolla Cross vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross presented a conservative design approach, pulling back from Toyota's recent daring styles. Its snub nose was reminiscent of the Toyota Tundra, and it featured the obligatory tall ride height and plastic fender flares typical of SUVs. However, the overall look was understated, seemingly to avoid overshadowing its larger sibling, the RAV4. The Corolla Cross was notably compact, being 5.3 inches shorter than the RAV4, yet larger than the Toyota C-HR, offering more interior space. Subtle styling details included scalloping around the rear door handles and hidden Corolla Cross logos throughout the vehicle. The interior mirrored the Corolla sedan and hatchback, with oversized door handles akin to the RAV4. Material quality was perceived as below that of the Corolla sedan and hatch, with the base L model feeling basic and the XLE trim offering SofTex leatherette upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid showcased a bold design that could polarize opinions, particularly with its flat, wide grille. The vehicle's personality shifted with color and trim, with body-colored vertical strakes that could appear jarring in lighter shades. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced these strakes with rectangular grille blocks and featured distinctive amber accent lights. The side profile was bold, with angular fender sculpting and unusual black plastic tabs atop each wheel well. The rear view adopted a different style, with rounded corners and vertical taillights reminiscent of a Range Rover. Inside, the Telluride's interior was less controversial, featuring a simple horizontal dashboard layout and a modern, buttonless appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim offered a luxurious two-tone palette, though the labeling on buttons was difficult to read. Seats were covered in synthetic leather and suede, with excellent material quality and various trim surfaces available.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross was equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 169 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT included an actual first gear for responsive acceleration, though transitions to normal CVT operation were abrupt. At higher speeds, the powertrain exhibited typical CVT issues like engine droning and rubber-banding. The Corolla Cross felt solid on highways but required effort to maintain pace. The optional AWD system, similar to that in the Toyota Camry, could send 10% to 50% of torque to the rear wheels. The Corolla Cross offered 8.2 inches of ground clearance and a 1,500-pound towing capacity, though it wasn't designed for off-roading.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Hybrid version added electric motors, increasing output to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed transmission. The Telluride Hybrid was quiet, with seamless transitions between electric and gas power. Both Tellurides were tuned for comfort, delivering a smooth ride. The X-Pro Prestige trim was comfortable despite its off-road suspension, while the Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride. The Telluride was composed on winding roads, with a soft brake pedal effort. It offered a luxurious ride with minimal wind noise at highway speeds.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross offered more passenger and cargo space than the Corolla hatchback, with an extra 2.1 inches of rear legroom and 1.4 inches of rear headroom. It provided 26.5 cubic feet of cargo space with FWD and 25.2 cubic feet with AWD, expanding to 66.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Corolla Cross compared well to rival crossovers in interior space but had hard and unsupportive seats. Storage spaces were minimal, and the driving position felt SUV-like but uncomfortable for long trips.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rearmost row was better suited for smaller passengers. The Hybrid SX Prestige featured power-adjustable second-row seats with heating and ventilation, though they were slow to slide and tilt forward. The middle-row seats offered significant travel, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom. The Telluride could hold up to 22.3 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row, expanding to 89.3 cubic feet with the second-row seatbacks folded. The Hybrid models lost only about one cubic foot of cargo space. The Telluride could tow up to 5,000 pounds (4,500 for the Hybrid).

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen on the base L model, while LE and XLE models featured an 8-inch touchscreen. The XLE also included a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was user-friendly but had plain graphics and slow boot-up times. The optional digital instrument cluster was cluttered, and the charging pad was small for larger phones. Only the LE and XLE models had pushbutton start.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch touchscreen for climate controls. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual wireless phone chargers, and a native navigation system. The system was easy to use but had some delays and required hard taps. The climate control screen was difficult to use while driving, but physical temperature control buttons were available. The Telluride offered customizable infotainment themes and a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system on the SX trim and above.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. It included standard driver-assist features under Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. The LE trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the XLE included rear automatic braking and front and rear park assist with automatic braking.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. It included standard advanced safety features like frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, parking proximity sensors, highway driving assist, and rear passenger sensors. Higher trims offered a surround-view camera system, blind-spot camera system, side parking proximity sensors, and automatic reverse braking. The driver attention monitor had operational issues, but the highway driving assist was effective on long trips.